Anoa Observed in Sulawesi Conservation Forest After 14 Years

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A team from the Abdul Latief Sinjai Forest Park in South Sulawesi has discovered footprints and feces – backed by expert confirmation – which proves the existence of the Anoa. The team conducted research to identify the rare and protected wildlife within the conservation area from mid-October to December last year. 

Based on the images from 16 camera traps set around the conservation forest, the team said they have visual confirmation for the existence of Anoa, Sulawesi weasel, and Sulawesi Wart Pig. 

“The entire team was elated when we saw what was recorded in the numerous camera traps. Our efforts paid off,” said the park’s head of management Naseul Tanjung in a written statement on January 18. 

Seen on November 4, 2022, at 05.53 am, an anoa was walking calmly and then stopped and sniffed a tree trunk. Then, on December 11, 2022, at 9:34 pm., the anoa was again captured by cameras which appeared to be eating grass.

The team worked alongside the IPB expert Abdul Haris Mustari, who confirmed the alleged anoa as the Bubalus quarlesi. They also said another method will be needed to confirm the population of Anoa inside the conservation forest. 

According to Nasrul, the last sighting of an Anoa in the area was 14 years ago. 

The Anoa has also been designated as one of the protected wild animals in Indonesia based on the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation (Permen LHK) P106 of 2018. The International Union for Conservation of Natural Resources (IUCN) has included the species in its Red List, this Sulawesi endemic animal is currently an endangered wildlife.

MARIA FRANSISCA LAHUR 

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